he soldier guests questioned Felipe Morris'
position. It was presumed that he and Merton Anderson were in the
attitude of waiting for their call to the colors.

Among the small company only Gerry and Mrs. Burton and Merton Anderson
were aware of Felipe's attempt to claim exemption. Naturally the matter
was not one that he cared to discuss with strangers, and more especially
not with young men near his own age, who had volunteered rather than
wait for the drafting.

However, Felipe was at present pleasantly sure of Gerry's sympathy.

"Fine looking soldiers, our American warriors!" he began in a lazy,
good-humored tone, which nevertheless held a slight suggestion of
disparagement. "I suppose one ought to rejoice that there are some men
among us who have the masculine passion for fighting so long as the
Kaiser's Huns are still abroad in the world. But personally I don't feel
I should make a success as a soldier."

Such a conversation would not have made the slightest impression upon
any one of the Sunrise Hill Camp Fire girls except Gerry.

It was obvious that Felipe preferred some one else to shoulder his
responsibility and do his duty. Selfishness is neither original nor
unique!

But Gerry was not given to deep reflection and was already more under
her companion's influence than she realized.

"When are we going to have a meeting together somewhere off to
ourselves?" Felipe asked. "There are so many things I want to talk to
you about; it is tantalizing to see you for only a few moments at a time
now and then. Why can't you come over and stay again at the ranch? My
father does nothing but read war news all day and either Shakespeare or
Cervantes in the evening, so we would be virtually alone."

The prospect sounded alluring to Gerry, nevertheless she slowly shook
her head.

"I should like it, of course," she answered, smiling and showing her
small but very regular white teeth, "only, like a good many other
pleasant things in this world, it is out of the question for me. I
cannot stay at your home alone with just your father and yourself.
Besides, your father would never think of inviting me, and although I
should enjoy seeing you alone at some other time, I am afraid even that
is impossible. Mrs. Burton would not----"

Here Felipe laughed in a teasing fashion.

"Is this the vaunted freedom of the American girl? I thought only the
other evening you confided to me that you had always been forced to
depend upon